After about 1700, indentured servants were no longer employed as they had been in the past. What developments led to this change? Why?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indentured_servant#Decline
The change in the employment of indentured servants after 1700 can be attributed to several key developments during that time period.
1. The rise of African slavery: The demand for labor in the American colonies increased as agriculture boomed, particularly in the southern colonies. Plantation owners sought a more significant labor force, which was met by the transatlantic slave trade. African slaves were initially seen as a more cost-effective and long-term labor solution compared to indentured servants.
2. Decline in European immigration: In the early colonial period, many Europeans, particularly from England, voluntarily entered into indentured servitude in exchange for passage to America. However, by the late 17th century, economic conditions in Europe improved, leading to fewer people willing to become indentured servants. Additionally, stricter regulations on servitude contracts made indentured servitude less attractive.
3. Shifts in colonial economy: As the colonies grew, the economic focus shifted from small-scale agriculture to commercial enterprises like trade, manufacturing, and cities. These new forms of economic activity required a more stable and reliable labor force, which was better served by slave labor.
4. Institutionalized racism: Over time, the concept of racial hierarchy became more deeply entrenched in colonial society. African slaves were increasingly seen as an inferior and permanent labor force due to their skin color, making it easier for planters to justify their enslavement and perpetuate the system.
Overall, the developments that led to the decline of indentured servitude after 1700 were the rise of African slavery, a decline in European immigration, shifts in the colonial economy, and the institutionalization of racism. These factors combined to make African slavery more economically viable and socially acceptable, leading to the phasing out of indentured servitude.